The Demon Monarch System

----

It wasn't long after Valac revealed the perverse nature behind Amduscias's power that the trio decided to set out regardless. However, they had all agreed to monitor the situation thoroughly before making any sudden moves.

Still, there was quite a distance separating Tirasha's stronghold and the makeshift shrine-like construct that Amduscias inhabited. Therefore, Valac and the others continued to hash out the details of their plans while advancing through the walkways of Suprenis.

"So, it's settled, right? Our top priority is remaining hidden rather than collecting information, right?" Valac muttered while looking at two before him constantly. There was a shred of wariness in mind after learning of Amduscias's location. In the odd case that his power was even stronger than before, then there was a chance that they'd suffer fatal damage even before Apollo could intervene.

Hence, Valac made sure to double and even triple-check their intention. Although he sought power and respect as well, throwing his life away was beyond the price he was willing to pay to see that happen.

"Yes, Valac! How many times are you going to ask the same question? This is the fifth time already," Sapphyr exclaimed in frustration while glaring at Valac. However, he merely threw his hands up in response. 

"Hey! Don't blame me for being thorough! We're dealing with something extremely dangerous here. It would be best if you appreciated my attention to detail that'll mostly end up saving our lives," Valac retorted with a scoff.

After listening to his words, Typhir placed his hand on Sapphyr's shoulder and shook his head. "Just leave him be. As the one with the most familiarity with Amduscias's behavior, we should take his preparation as a warning."

"I understand that, but his excessive behavior is starting to make me love focus! There's a point where attentiveness turns into fanaticism," Sapphyr responded in which Typhir nodded to as well.

In this situation, he acted as the mediator that kept the situation in the best state possible, which showed his talent as a leader. Being capable of managing both sides to reduce conflicts was a trait that was either acquired naturally or after years of practicing passive mediation.

In Typhir's case, it was a mix of both. 

"Both of you, you'll jeopardize the mission if your actions continue to grow out of hand. Besides, we'll be arriving at the point of interest within a few moments. It's time to raise our guard and on alert," Typhir said while looking into the distance.

According to Tirasha's description, the ground looked to be abandoned, but the building was in superb condition. It looked this way because while Amduscias could care less about the surrounding state, his place of worship needed to be in the best of conditions.

Once he saw this, Valac shuddered. "Eugh, it's just as I assumed. He sees himself as the pivotal point of everything. Despite everything around this place dying, his area is filled with vitality."

"Wait," Typhir said all of a sudden before glancing around. There was an unsettling sensation in the atmosphere that caused a slight chill to slide down his back. Because of this sensation, he took extra precautions.

Typhir bent down and picked up a pebble before narrowing his eyes. 'Is this where the feeling is coming from?' He wondered. The unsettling feeling was most substantial compared to anywhere else, approximately ten meters in front of him.

After a short pause, Typhir tossed the stone forward and waited for a reaction. Even after crossing five meters, there was nothing. However, once the pebble traveled ten meters, it stopped. 

Motionless, the rock floated in the air. But, it was different in the eyes of Valac, Typhir, and Sapphyr.

"Well, that's new. And, Tirasha didn't mention anything about this," Sapphyr muttered while watching the rock turn to ash at a gradually increasing pace. Soon enough, the damage was apparent to anyone who gazed at the small levitating stone.

"No, no. It's to be expected," Valac said with a troubled expression. After all, he was very familiar with what was happening. Even in the past, Amduscias cordoned off his personal quarters with a fence made of dark lightning that was invisible unless provoked.

Even then, the visibility of the fence after activation was dependent on the force acting upon it. And, because Typhir threw the pebble with barely any strength, it was difficult to sense the arcs of dark lighting currently destroying the rock.

"It'll be difficult to advance any further without resolving the issue of this fence. However, we also can't just brute force it. The stronger the momentum, the fiercer the dark lightning becomes," Valac warned, causing both Typhir and Sapphyr's to change.

"If that's the case, why didn't you bring this up earlier? It's clear you're familiar with this," Typhir said while turning towards Valac.

"It slipped my mind, dammit! You try to remember everything from countless years ago while under pressure and see if you could do it!" Valac snarled in response. However, instead of continuing with the blame, Typhir sighed.

"Tell me what you know about this fence."

"Well, judging by how thin it is, it's not being controlled by Amduscias personally. He must have injected a certain amount of dark lightning within a special runestone and built a defensive formation because his lightning possesses a finite limit," Valac said after judging the fence.

Out of curiosity, Typhir approached the fence with a stoic expression. 'If that's the case, how strong is this lightning?'

A moment later, Typhir stuck out his finger, pressing it against the arcs of lightning. At first, he felt nothing, but the sensation grew potent the more he pushed against the arcs of dark lightning.

At the same time, the thin arc of lightning thickened the moment Typhir introduced his finger. 'So, the amount of dark lightning and the ferocity of it rises in proportion to the intruder. However, I'll only last three seconds if I attempt to walk through.'

After two seconds of pressing his finger on the fence, an unbearable pain appeared as he watched the skin on his finger being scorched without end, which was odd, seeing as his fire and burn resistance were extremely high as a result of his species.

Suddenly, Valac tapped his chin with a mischievous smile. "There may be a way, but it will undoubtedly alert Amduscias of our presence. We'll have to gamble on whether or not he's in the middle of producing dark lightning. If so, he'd be immobile for the moment."

"And?"

"And so, that'll give up to hide in a position nearby as he tries to track us," Valac exclaimed with a giddy mischievousness in his eyes.

"You know, for someone who happens to fear Amduscias, you seem awfully happy about intruding," Typhir said with a skeptical expression.

"Obviously! Amduscias can't be interrupted during the conversion process of his lightning. If he is, then he won't be able to restart the process for three days on the lightning will backlash against him," Valac exclaimed while happily clapping his hands.

"That's perfect and all, but how do we confirm that he's in the middle of converting dark lighting?!" Sapphyr shouted in return.

In response, Valac covered his mouth. "Shhh. Besides, this will all depend on you. Don't you have a special individual in your presence? It's time you use him. As an Arcana, that thing should be resistant against Amduscias's lightning. Hasn't he received the blessing of a powerful Arcana?"

Intrigued, Typhir turned towards Sapphyr. He had forgotten that Sapphyr was unique because she possessed a Spirit even now. But, the fact that Valac called it an Arcana signified that it was an individual on par with their race.

With both Valac and Typhir looking at her, Sapphyr released a reluctant sigh. "Fine."

Afterward, a shadow crept up behind her. Gradually, Xezym's body appeared, but his appearance came as a shock. His physique resembled a demon's as his muscular figure appeared through his shadowy cloth armor that emitted endless embers.

"My Lady? It has been quite some time since you called on me. Do you require my help?" Xezym questioned while bowing before Sapphyr.

"I didn't mention this Arcana because well… I'm sure you heard of the situation from our Lord before. Aside from the Dark Primordial, the relationship of the Demons and Arcana's aren't very good. Even if they're unaware of the history, the Sins themselves feel malice," Valac said.

"So that's the reason," Sapphyr muttered while glancing behind at Xezym. "However, I trust Xezym with my life, so there's no reason for me to abandon. And, I don't think Apollo would like me to either."

"I'm aware," Valac nodded. "After all, he's instrumental in this situation. Arcana, can you enter that fence and tell us if the individual inside is taking part in any unique actions?"

"Unique actions? Such as?" Xezym questioned while also approaching the fence. Since he could sense that this was Sapphyr's intention as well, he moved forward without hesitation.

"They'd be in a trance-like state with a sea of dark lightning surrounding them."

"Understood," Xezym answered before approaching the dark fence.. At first it appeared that it would stop him, but then some thing shocking took place that made Valac grin.